Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Bush Comes To Shove - Again

President George W. Bush held a press conference yesterday with Jordan's King Abdullah. Asked about the Arab-Israel conflict, he spoke of the "sacrifices" that both sides will need to make. Getting specific, Bush said, "Israel must withdraw from the settlements, there must be contiguous territory for a Palestinian state...[and]...Palestinians must continue to work hard to fight any terrorist activities within the territories".

Recalling the eternal argumentation over UN Resolution 242 and its lack of the definitive article when describing "territories", did Bush mean "all" the Jewish communities, including those Ariel Sharon told us would be in "blocs"? Does he include, in accordance with longstanidng State Department policy, Jerusalem's eastern neighborhoods, too? Does he know that "contiguous" means cutting Israel in half between the Hebron Hills and the Gaza Coast?

It seems there's a major problem developing.

As for the Palestinians, while Israel gives up real estate, security resources and water, all they have to do is to "work hard"? Are they a car rental firm that needs just to try harder?

Like his father back in 1989, who threatened Israel with the loan credits, has another Bush come to shove?

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